NYSE listed company Dorian LPG Ltd., a leading owner and operator of 25 modern fuel efficient Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs),  is positioning itself as a leader in the maritime industry’s shift toward greener practices as it makes significant strides in enhancing its operational efficiency as part of its broader green shipping initiatives.

Peter Hadjipateras, Chief Information, Security, and Sustainability Officer at Dorian LPG, notes “At Dorian LPG, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, clean and trouble-free transportation to our customers. In our efforts to deliver the “clean” element to our customers, our Fleet Performance team has been proactive in reducing the emissions of our ships. These efforts are comprised of three elements: operational optimizations, technical enhancements and in the longer term, new technology and alternative fuels for the maritime industry. Today, we are pleased to share our progress on one of the technical enhancements our team has applied; silicone paint. After a rigorous research and selection process, we have applied Hempel’s X7 silicone paint on five of our vessels and have seen increased fuel savings and return on investment and are pleased to share this with our partners and investors.”

Dorian LPG’s sustainability strategy is anchored around three key pillars:

Technical Improvements on Vessels : Dorian LPG is implementing a series of technical upgrades aimed at enhancing the hydrodynamic efficiency of its vessels. These upgrades include hydrodynamic enhancing fins or Mewis ducts, meticulous docking and blasting procedures and the application of high-quality coatings that are specifically designed to minimize drag and reduce fuel consumption. The company’s partnership with Hempel is central to this effort, as Hempel’s Hempaguard line of silicone-based products has proven to be highly effective in reducing fuel consumption and emissions. By investing in these technical improvements, Dorian LPG seeks to operate its fleet at optimal performance levels, leading to significant reductions in operational emissions.

Operational Enhancements : In addition to technical upgrades, Dorian LPG is focused on optimizing day-to-day operations to further improve efficiency and reduce emissions. This involves adopting best practices such as weather routing, which optimizes travel routes based on real-time weather conditions, and just-in-time arrival, which minimizes idle time at ports. Dorian LPG also prioritizes crew training to ensure that equipment is handled with precision and that every aspect of vessel operation is fine-tuned for maximum efficiency. These operational enhancements are designed to complement the technical upgrades and contribute to the overall sustainability of the fleet.

Long-Term Innovations : Looking to the future, Dorian LPG is committed to exploring alternative fuels, carbon capture and pioneering new technologies that will be essential in the long-term decarbonization of the maritime industry. Dorian LPG recognizes that the transition to alternative fuels, such as hydrogen or ammonia, and the development of new propulsion technologies will play a critical role in achieving its long-term sustainability goals. By staying at the forefront of innovation, Dorian LPG aims to ensure that its fleet remains resilient and sustainable amid evolving environmental challenges.

Dorian leveraging Silicone Paint with Hempel:

In a recent video announcing its collaboration with Hempel, a global leader in marine coatings, Dorian LPG’s Fleet Performance and Decarbonization Manager, Asit Dalai, emphasized Dorian LPG’s commitment to operating its vessels at peak performance and with reduced emissions.

Watch video here: https://www.video.hempel.com/video/101936183/watch-how-dorian-lpg-benefits-from

“As a company, we are committed to the industry shift towards decarbonization. For us, doing what we can to lower emissions is simply the right thing to do. The long track record of Hempel’s Hempaguard gave us the confidence to choose this solution. The silicone line-up from Hempel, the Hempaguard products, was quite well suited for us because we have a high sailing profile, and we also do quite high speeds, so that means we could reap the most out of those silicone paints,” states Asit Dasai, Dorian LPG’s Fleet Performance & Decarbonization Manager.

Dorian LPG has benefited from significant operational emissions reductions and enhanced efficiency. By embracing innovative approaches to sustainability, Dorian LPG is setting an example for the next generation of industry leaders. Dorian LPG is committed to a proactive stance on environmental responsibility, which goes beyond regulatory compliance to embody a genuine commitment to reducing the company’s ecological footprint. This commitment is reflected in the company’s ongoing efforts to implement cutting-edge technologies, foster industry partnerships, and cultivate a culture that prioritizes ship safety and efficiency coupled with environmental stewardship.

About Dorian LPG Ltd.

Dorian LPG is a leading owner and operator of modern Very Large Gas Carriers (“VLGCs”) that transport liquefied petroleum gas globally. Our fleet currently consists of twenty-five modern VLGCs, including twenty ECO VLGCs and four dual-fuel ECO VLGCs. Dorian LPG has offices in Stamford, Connecticut, USA; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Athens, Greece.

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Laskaridis Shipping Co.,Ltd. and Lavinia Corporation two of the most respected and influential groups of Greek shipping that operate 90 bulker, tanker and reefer vessels, signed agreements with the Liaoyu Group in Dalian, China, for the establishment of a Joint Venture company which will trade under the name of Fresh Cool Logistical Services.

Liaoyu Group Co.,Ltd. is a large industrial, fishing and food processing conglomerate in Dalian, China, which owns and operates port facilities, cold storages, passenger liners, food processing companies, factory fishing vessels with an approximate workforce of 5.000 people.

The Joint Venture’s plan is to order at the beginning 2 firm and 2 optional reefer vessels of approximately 11.000dwt to cater for the transportation of Liaoyu’s krill and other fishing products from the Antarctic and worldwide and also serve the transport needs of Lavinia Corporation. The new company’s initial investment plan exceeds 80 million US Dollars.

The two partners have expressed their satisfaction about this new Joint Venture which mirrors the excellent cooperation and mutual respect between them for nearly 30 years.

The above Venture also demonstrates Lavinia’s dedication to the transportation needs of the Chinese fishing fleets which dates back for more than 35 years.

The new Company will be based in Dalian.

The partners are now proceeding with the design and specifications of the ships to be built in cooperation with the respective design office and shipyards.

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With a personal message from Ms Julie Lymberopulos Cosiori was announced the termination of her mission as Ambassador of Panama in Greece.

More specifically she stated: “I have the honor to inform you that my mission as the Ambassador and General Consul of the Republic of Panama to the Hellenic Republic with parallel accreditation in Cyprus, Serbia, Bulgaria and Montenegro, as well as the Dean of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Group (GRULAC HELLAS) of the Hellenic Republic, has been concluded.

Since my arrival in Greece in December 2019 and assumption of duties as the Dean of GRULAC HELLAS in January 2023, it has been a privilege to serve as Head of Mission of the Republic of Panama. Throughout my diplomatic tenure, I aspired to bring closer the nations of Panama, Greece, Cyprus, Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro and the 10 countries of Latin America with diplomatic representation in Greece. Through multiple initiatives encompassing cultural, educational, economic, strategic business, maritime, and diplomatic representation, I aimed to revive and strengthen our long-lasting relationship. Our cooperation, marked by mutual respect and productive collaboration, has significantly strengthened the ties between our nations.

Representing Panama with residence in Greece, the homeland of my parents, has been both a dream and a blessing. It has special meaning for me, merging my dual heritage in a role I hold dear to my heart.

As my mission has been concluded, I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional professional and personal relations we have enjoyed during my tenure. I extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every person who contributed to this mission.

Kindly accept my best wishes for your health and prosperity in the years to come”.

Julie Lymberopulos COSIORI

Ambassador and General Consul of Panama in Greece

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Anemoi Marine Technologies Ltd (“Anemoi”), a leader in wind-assisted propulsion systems, was awarded a Type Approval Design Certificate from classification society DNV for its Rotor Sail design measuring 5 metres in diameter and 35 metres in height.

The Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) was retrospectively presented to Anemoi during a special ceremony at SMM in Hamburg, Germany, on 5 September 2024. The certificate validates that Anemoi's 5x35m Rotor Sail design complies with DNV's technical standard (ST-0511) for Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) .

Kim Diederichsen, CEO of Anemoi, said: "We are delighted to have received this important Type Approval from DNV, which is a testament to the rigorous design and engineering work undertaken by our team. This certification provides shipowners and operators with the assurance they need to invest in our 5x35m Rotor Sail solution, which has already been selected for upcoming installations on several vessels."

Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV Maritime: “Over the last few years WAPS technologies have continued to go from strength to strength, with the number of installations tripling in just the last year according to estimates from the IWSA. This growth has been built on innovation, safety, and trusted expertise. We are very pleased to build on the excellent collaboration with Anemoi with the presentation of this certificate. Together we are continuing to develop the technical standards and class notations that will enable the momentum behind WAPS to continue to build and enhance shipping’s drive to greater sustainability.”

In May 2024, Anemoi's 5x35m Rotor Sail was installed on the DNV-classed bulk carrier Berge Neblina, owned by Berge Bulk, representing the first commercial deployment of this product size. Anemoi has also previously obtained a full Statement of Design Appraisal for the 5x35m Rotor Sail, and has additional installations planned for later this year and into 2025, including on the Sohar Max, a 400,000 DWT VLOC operated by Vale.

Rotor Sails, also referred to as ‘Flettner Rotors’, are vertical cylinders that, when driven to rotate, harness the renewable power of the wind to propel ships. These highly efficient mechanical sails capitalise on the aerodynamic phenomenon known as the Magnus Effect to provide additional thrust to vessels. By leveraging wind energy, Berge Neblina will see increased efficiency by reducing the power required from the main engine while maintaining speed, therefore substantially reducing fuel consumption and resulting in less greenhouse gas emissions.

The technology is being increasingly embraced by ship owners, primarily in the bulker and tanker sectors, who are aiming to achieve net-zero shipping emissions. Rotor Sails have emerged as a preferred technology to augment and enhance the energy performance of vessels. Rotor Sails are a compact technology, which offer a large thrust force to propel ships with minimal impact on visibility, stability and port operations, helping them comply with pivotal international emission reduction benchmarks such as the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and EEDI/EEXI.

Image: Caption: Konstantinos Papadakis, Rasmus Stute and Hasso Hoffmeister from DNV, Eleanor Taylor and Baiqian Jiang from Anemoi Marine Technologies. Credit: Anemoi Marine Technologies/DNV

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ERMA FIRST, a leading sustainable maritime solutions provider, has teamed up with Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association (HELMEPA), the Municipality of Perama and the local community to clean up Perama Beach as part of the company’s wide-ranging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.

The event, which took place on 30 August 2024, saw over 80 participants collaborate to clear over 30 large refuse bags’ worth of recyclable and non-recyclable litter from the Perama coastline. Employees of ERMA FIRST, Environmental Protection Engineering (EPE), EPE Yachting, and Metis were joined by members of the local community; representatives of the Municipality of Perama including Mr Yiannis Lagoudakos, Mayor of Perama; and HELMEPA, who provided a minivan to transport people and recyclables.

Both ERMA FIRST and EPE received a HELMEPA Silver Badge for their commitment in marine litter collection and for leading the recent beach clean-up initiative in Perama, a voluntary marine clean-up action that contributed to the collection and recording of marine litter and to HELMEPA’s mission “To Save the Seas”.

Mr Konstantinos Stampedakis, Co-Founder & Managing Director, ERMA FIRST GROUP, said: “Aligning perfectly with our broad-reaching CSR strategy, this event was a fantastic opportunity for us to give back to our community, protect our beautiful coastline, and enjoy some fresh air with colleagues. Thank you to the ERMA FIRST, EPE, EPE Yachting, and Metis team members who took part and to HELMEPA for their support. We were also honoured to welcome Mayor of Perama, Mr Yiannis Lagoudakos, to the event and would like to extend our gratitude to the Municipality of Perama.”

Ms Eleni Polychronopoulou, President, ERMA FIRST GROUP, commented: “Our latest voluntary beach clean-up event has been a great success. However, while we are proud of the volume of rubbish we removed from our coastline through hard work and collaboration, we know that keeping our beaches clean in the long term relies on education. We were therefore delighted for the opportunity to drive community engagement and discuss with participants our shared responsibilities and the importance of volunteering, recycling, and taking care of the planet. Planet Earth is our home, and we must protect and preserve it by all means for a better future for all – especially for the generations to come.”

According to Mr Kimon Mademlis, Marketing & Communications Director, ERMA FIRST GROUP, “the Group’s initiative to organize and lead this specific CSR action reflects its mission to preserve and protect the marine ecosystem and reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – in particular, SDGs 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; 13: Climate Action; and 14: Life Below Water.”

“In addition, the action aligns with ERMA FIRST GROUP’s status as a signatory of the EU Mission Charter ‘Restore our ocean and waters by 2030’; our support of the European Union’s Environment and Climate Green Week; and our three strategic pillars of local community, inclusivity, and sustainability,” Mr Mademlis underlined. The company had also registered the event as part of the EU Beach Cleanup campaign and as a European Climate Pact ‘satellite event’.

ERMA FIRST - From saving the oceans, to safeguarding the planet

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Greece, ERMA FIRST is a leading manufacturer and provider of future-proof sustainable maritime solutions. The company’s robust systems and solutions ensure worldwide compliance, provide operational simplicity and reduce operational expenditure, while at the same time minimising the impact of ship operations on the environment.

ERMA FIRST's customer-centric approach offers flexible and convenient servicing through a trusted network of certified engineers worldwide. ERMA FIRST provides sales, maintenance and training to clients via offices in 46 countries. ERMA FIRST offers a complete range of solutions, including ballast water treatment (BWTS), Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), Energy Saving Devices (ESDs) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).

ERMA FIRST won the Lloyd’s List Technical Achievement Award (2013 and 2023), the GREEN4SEA Technology Award (2016) and the GREEN4SEA Sustainability Award (2023).

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Columbia Group, a leading integrated maritime, logistics, leisure, energy and offshore services platform, has released its latest sustainability report highlighting the importance of its people who are described as the ‘backbone’ of the company.

The report design focusses on the many colleagues who make up Columbia Group, both onshore and aboard, as well as clients and service partners.

CEO of Columbia Group, Mark O’Neil, said: “Our people are the backbone and raison d’etre for what we do and how we do it, and that is why we put their consideration at the front, middle and end of everything we do. Without absolute focus on the “S” in ESG we cannot achieve the “E” or the “G”.

Last year brought numerous global challenges, from geopolitical conflicts to the escalating climate crisis, Mr O’Neil highlighted in the report.  In response, the company has continued to evolve, embedding ESG principles into its business strategy and risk management framework.

Columbia’s ongoing commitment to sustainability is evident in the steps it has taken to align with new regulations, such as the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These frameworks are helping the company to refine its practices, ensuring that it contributes positively to the environment and society while maintaining strong business performance.

“At Columbia Group, we believe that meaningful change starts with each of us. Our ethos, ‘We are Columbia. It starts with us,’ underscores our dedication to responsible and ethical business practices,” Mr O’Neil said. “We are proud of the progress we’ve made, but we also recognise that there is much more to be done. Together, we are poised to build a more sustainable and resilient future.”

The health and safety of the Group’s seafarers is of top priority to Columbia, the report said. Taking a holistic approach to crew wellbeing, the company covers many dimensions of seafaring through various collaborations and partnerships, and initiatives that promote healthy physical and mental wellbeing, delivered through its preferred partner OneCare Group.

The report also highlighted how 2023 reinforced the importance of flexibility and adaptability, with Columbia ensuring it was continuously monitoring its operating environment and analysing market conditions to better respond to emerging conditions. The Group is committed to empowering employees through continuous learning, leadership development and collaboration.

Columbia takes a leading role in adopting the latest technological advancements to ensure it delivers the highest quality of training to its seafarers. It has underlined its commitment to top level training of its crew by signing an agreement with the Nautilus Pacific Maritime Training Center in Manila to be the exclusive training centre for its seafarers in the Philippines. The agreement helps the Group tap into state-of-the-art simulators, holograms and webinar technology to bring together the highest quality in-person and online seafarer training.

Columbia is passionate about the environment and one of its long-term goals is to reduce the amount of single-use plastic onboard and ashore. It has been installing water filtration systems onboard all its vessels with an advanced eight-stage filtration system to allow seafarers to use them for both hot and cold drinks.

The Columbia Group has also established a reduction and mitigation strategy for CO2 emissions through office improvements, green energy use, monitoring non-electrical company cars’ fuel consumption, minimising travel and other initiatives. In its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, Columbia Group has also implemented an Emission Monitoring and Reporting service, focusing on optimisation strategies to further enhance its environmental performance.

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Stefanos Papandreou & Theano Kalapotharakou co-publishers of ELNAVI report from SMM Hamburg 

From windjammers to steamships, and then to diesel engines: the maritime industry has had to re-invent itself at several instances in its history. But never has it seen change as radical as today. “Decarbonisation offers the industry the historic opportunity to take a leading role in the global efforts to combat climate change. It is an unbelievable innovation driver,” says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director Maritime and Technology Fairs at Hamburg Messe und Congress. At SMM, from 3 to 6 September in Hamburg, exhibiting companies demonstrate in a compelling way how innovative solutions can increase efficiency, cut emissions and improve safety and security at sea. “Through new formats and exhibition sections, such as the Future Fuels Area, we want to give a boost to the innovative capabilities of our industry while establishing SMM as the key platform for sustainable maritime technologies,” says SMM Director Christoph Lücke. It is important to mention the following innovative maritime sectors that are presented at SMM 2024:

Future fuels: not an option but a must

In the new Future Fuels Area a number of modular drop-in solutions were presented offering high scalability and redundancy, whilst operating with no vibration, reducing maintenance requirements and conforming to zero emission regulations.

New engine generations are ready-to-sell offering of a 25% hydrogen blend engine and providing cleaner and more efficient energy solutions. Roughly 20 companies are participating in the Future Fuels Area.

Refitting: upgrading the fleet in service

Demand for eco-friendly and energy-efficient ships is increasing steadily, and refitting the fleet in service is a major topic for shipowners. It also harbours substantial business opportunities for shipyards and component manufacturers. There are intriguing retrofitting options, including inventions that reduce their environmental footprint while cutting fuel costs. For example wind-assisted propulsion solution can reduce fuel consumption by up to ten per cent.

Another option the rotor sails, thanks to high-tech materials and sophisticated automation can reduce fuel consumption by 8.2 per cent.

Digitalisation: heading for autonomous shipping

Integrating digital technologies is the second big item on the maritime industry’s agenda. Innovation is advancing at breathtaking speed.

Autonomous shipping is on the menu to representing a new turning point in the sustainable development of the shipping industry.

Artificial Intelligence: Solutions supporting sustainable success

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is definitely a game changer for the industry. This is why SMM is putting this technology front and centre this year. The new AI CENTER is an all-embracing showcase of advanced AI technologies and their potential for maritime applications. Numerous established and start-up companies present their AI solutions addressing a variety of challenges, from optimising fuel consumption to improving operational efficiency. AI aims not only at the ease industry's transition towards green shipping but also enable to make confident decisions that support commercial and sustainability goals.

In SMM we had a very interesting program as we started from Tuesday 3rd of September 8 am attending a press conference from Alfa Laval about the biofuels and future fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen, improving the energy efficiency of the ship, managing ballast water and propulsion using the wind.

Afterwards, the opening event was held with the presence of the IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez, the director of DG Move EU Commission Magda Kopczynska and the president of German shipowners Association Dr Gaby Blenheim who in their messages pointed out the strategic and decisive role of shipping for prosperity and survival of the world's population as well as the need to protect seafarers from malicious/terrorist acts and attract young people to the maritime profession.

Class society DNV presented its Maritime Forecast 2024 main study with keynote speaker Remi Eriksen Group CEO, official guest IMO general secretary Arsenio Dominguez who discussed the organization's policy with DNV Maritime CEO Knut Orbeck-Nilsson.

As mentioned during the event, IMO aims at 20% less air emissions towards 2030, energy efficiency could lead to 16% fuel savings by 2030, Digitalization enables optimization, Green shore power can reduce emissions by 7%, Carbon capture could be most effective, Pooling of compliance could save 6% of the cost of decarbonization. 

We had also the chance to visit the following stands: Paramina air compressors, SQlearn, Elvik s.a, D. Koronakis, Psyctotherm, Uteco, WIMA, Hemexpo, Carell, Farad, Navarino, Katradis, Marichem- Marigasse, Skaramanga shipyards and discussed with the managers the prospects and possibilities of their activities in shipping.

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With Fuel EU Maritime already impacting shipowners, energy efficiency and fleet-wide pooling are critical to short term sustainability success according to leading industry figures at the annual ABS Sustainability Summit, which kicked off the SMM Exhibition in Hamburg.

In a wide-ranging keynote, Navigator Gas CEO Mads Peter Zacho was positive about the progress of the transition, describing it as a business opportunity and said he welcomes the prospect of a carbon levy.

He said: “Climate change is not slowing down; it is accelerating, which means we need to move faster in the shipping industry. What the IMO will bring after MEPC 82 next month and MEPC 83 next spring will be incredibly exciting. I hope for an ambitious global carbon price levied on shipping, which is something unexpected from an owner – but the cost will move down the supply chain as it should.  The impact to the consumer for green shipping is only expected to be 1 to 2 percent more.”

The event also saw Kathrin Lau, Editor in Chief, Schiff & Hafen, moderate a panel discussion comprised of representatives from V.Group, Hamburg Port Authority, MPC Container Ship ASA and Hapag-Lloyd.

Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President of Business Development, said: “We have heard that while the future is exciting, delivering it is proving challenging. The significant financial and technological decisions that we need to take in the coming months are complicated by geopolitics and decisions at the national level, creating an uncertain investment environment.”

Panos Koutsourakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability, said: “There is a lot of debate around the progress of the energy transition in shipping. I wouldn’t say it is a passive period rather that it’s a market checkpoint where initial decarbonization plans are being re-assessed and based on the latest data. Key indicators of progress in the transition include the adoption of clean fuels, advancements in energy efficiency, and the retrofitting of existing vessels with sustainable technologies. We are seeing strong progress on all of these indicators.”

Photo Caption: 2024 ABS Sustainability Summit speakers and presenters (L to R): Neville Smith, Director, Mariner Communications; Panos Koutsourakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability; Arne Maibohm, Decarbonisation Director, Hapag-Lloyd; Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President, Business Development; Kathrin Lau, Editor In Chief, Schiff & Hafen; Mads Peter Zacho, CEO, Navigator Gas; Sebastian Ebbing, Group Sustainability Officer, MPC Container Ship ASA; Jannes Elfgen, Head of Port Energy Solutions, Hamburg Port Authority; Matt Dunlop, Group Director, Sustainability & Decarbonisation, V.Group

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bound4blue has taken another step forward in its mission to lead shipping’s “wind power revolution” with the news that its unique eSAIL® has received full Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from DNV. The issued certificate validates complete compliance with the classification society’s Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) technical standard, demonstrating that the team’s breakthrough suction sail technology is in line with the industry’s most advanced rule set.

With the TADC in place, bound4blue expects “accelerated technical due diligence processes” with customers, paving the way for a simpler system roll-out. This will help shipowners, removing the burden of individual quality validation, speeding up access to eSAIL® benefits including reduced fuel consumption and emissions, lower OPEX, and simplified compliance with the most stringent regulatory demands.

Renewable results

bound4blue sees the eSAIL® as a key enabler for maritime’s green energy transition.

The fully autonomous system works by dragging air across an aerodynamic surface, generating exceptional propulsive efficiency. The simple, low weight and easy to install units significantly cut main engine loads, fuel use and emissions.

It’s a proposition that has won contracts with shipowners and operators including Odfjell, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Amasus, Marflet, Louis Dreyfus Company, and more.

David Ferrer, Co-founder and CTO, bound4blue, believes the TADC from DNV can now be the catalyst for a new wave of growth.

Accelerating adoption

Ferrer comments: “We’ve always been focused on developing a technology according to the very highest standards and meeting the most rigorous quality and safety requirements. Receiving the TADC from DNV provides third-party validation of that excellence, quality stamping our system and helping fast-track customer due diligence procedures. We believe this will work to accelerate the adoption process and facilitate further orders.”

He continues: “Wind has massive potential for the maritime industry, both as a renewable energy source, but also as a tool to enable other alternative fuels. However, some owners and operators, understandably, may not know where to turn in this emerging segment. This approval consolidates our position as a preferred partner, with a proven system, and we aim to leverage it to cement our standing at the vanguard of the coming wind revolution.”

Class developments

The TADC (DNV Standard ST-0511 Wind-assisted Propulsion Systems) prepares the ground for eSAIL® installation onboard DNV classed vessels.

Speaking of the DNV certification, Hasso Hoffmeister, Senior Principal Engineer at DNV Maritime, notes: “Wind is an inexhaustible, free, zero carbon energy source, which is receiving increasing attention within the maritime industry. To harness its potential, owners require trusted systems, with validated technical and design compliance, to ensure the highest quality standards. DNV, with our world leading expertise is committed to helping our customers innovate and build confidence in these new technologies on a foundation of trust.”

“Our cooperation with the team at bound4blue has been excellent, and we’re very pleased to award this certification. We look forward to seeing the growth of wind as a green energy source for vessels worldwide, as we work together to make the maritime industry even more sustainable for the generations to come.”

Compliant benefits

bound4blue eSAILs® are easy to install, simple to operate and maintain - with very few moving parts - and suitable for almost all shipping types. They can be fitted as retrofits on a broad range of vessels, as well as newbuilds.

The units enhance compliance with existing and upcoming regulations, including improving vessel CII ratings, boosting EEDI and EEXI, complying with the advent of FuelEU Maritime, and contributing to saved allowances within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme.

With eSAIL® having received the TADC from DNV, bound4blue is now undertaking other certification processes, with more certifications to follow.

Image: bound4blue’s innovative eSAIL® receives Type Approval Design Certificate (TADC) from DNV onboard the Eems Traveller at SMM

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On the 30^th August 2024, the container ship MSC MARIE transited through the Panama Canal, marking a milestone by becoming the largest capacity Neopanamax to cross the interoceanic route.

With a length of 366 meters (1,200 feet) and a width of 51 meters (167.4 feet), the MSC MARIE boasts a maximum capacity of 17,640 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), setting a new record.

This achievement surpasses the previous record held by the EVER MAX vessel, which made the transit at a capacity of 17,312 TEUs during inaugural passage in August 2023.

The arrival of the MSC MARIE in Panama, coming from the port of Manzanillo in Mexico, not only highlights the canal’s ability to handle the largest and most modern ships, but also its importance as a key hub in global trade.

This achievement is a testament to the continuous efforts of the canal workers, whose commitment reaffirms the reliability and efficiency of our route.

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